With political turmoil looming and World War 2 close the organizers of the Giro d'Italia promoted a diminished race. Prizes were reduced and participation was nearly all Italian.

Defending champion Giovanni Valetti took control of the race on stage 6b, the 14 km individual time trial up the famed Terminillo. Valetti beat rival Gino Bartali by 28 seconds and held a slim lead in the overall classification.

In the mountains Bartali regains the Maglia Rosa with an inspired stage win in Trento . The very next stage featured miserable weather conditions and snow in the mountain passes. Valetti broke away from the Bartali group on the climb of the Aprica and soloed for brilliant stage win. Valetti's nearly 7 minute time gain on Bartali put him back in the race lead with one stage to go.

An always aggressive Gino Bartali made one last attempt to drop Valetti on the climb of the Madonna di Ghisallo. Giovanni Valetti answered the attack and rode into Milan for the victory.